[NEohioPAL] LAND OF CLEVE REVIEW: 'Hair' at Blank Canvas Theatre Offers Peace, Love, and Understanding in a Harmonious Gathering of Talent

[Cleve Land via NEohioPAL]

LAND OF CLEVE REVIEW:
'Hair' at Blank Canvas Theatre
Offers Peace, Love, and Understanding
in a Harmonious Gathering of Talent

*Hair* exploded on the theatre horizon 47 years ago, and it is surprising
how this psychedelic show from the Sixties still resonates in today's
turbulent times. Director Patrick Ciamacco and his creative team at Blank
Canvas Theatre have once again delivered a triumphant and thought-provoking
production in their 78th Street Studios venue. He collaborates with
choreographer Jessie Cope Miller, costume designer Luke Scattergood, music
director Brad Wyner, and assistant music director Lawrence Wallace to weave
a seamless tale that transports us all back in time to the flower-power era.


The dynamic director has also cast the show to perfection, much like he did
with the group's last offering, *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. *Each
performer in *Hair* is charismatic, compelling, and completely credible as
a rebel with a cause. Scott Esposito is alternately tender and tormented as
Claude, whose decision whether or not to dodge the draft becomes the focal
point of the show. Nicky Belardo goes "balls to the wall" as wild and
woolly Berger, always pushing everything (and everyone) to the limit.
Jessie Cope Miller sparkles as Sheila, the assertive yet sensitive female
caught between the two, and her "Easy to Be Hard" solo is definitely a
highlight of the show.


*Hair* is so rich and thick with songs that each ensemble member gets their
moment to shine. The talented Tribe includes Tonya Broach as Dionne, Devon
Settles as Hud, Becca Frick as Jeanie, Trey Gilpen as Woof, and Neely
Gevaart as Chrissy, along with Wesley Allen, Andrea Belser, Roderick
Cardwell II, Venchise Glenn, Shannon Hubman, Joanna May Hunkins, Jillian
Mesaros, Kate Leigh Michalski, David Turner, and Joe Virgo...


Read the full review at:

*http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2014/08/cleve-review-hair-offers-peace-love-and.html
<http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2014/08/cleve-review-hair-offers-peace-love-and.html>*
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